On 72nd Raising Day, Western Command remembers martyrs

Chandigarh, Sep 15 (IANS) The 72nd Raising Day of the Western Command, the frontline operational command of the Indian Army, was celebrated in Chandimandir near here on Sunday with a wreath laying ceremony by Lt Gen R.P. Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

He paid pay homage to the gallant heroes of Western Command. Senior officers, JCOs and other rank personnel were present.

The Command was raised in 1947 as Delhi and East Punjab Command in Delhi and was subsequently re-designated as Western Command in January 1948.

The genesis of Western Command was forged on the anvil of one of the most challenging trans-border migrations of population.

In 1954, the headquarters of the Command moved to Shimla. After the Indo-Pak conflict of 1971, Northern Command was carved out of Western Command to assume operational responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir.

Finally in 1985, Western Command headquarters moved to its present location at Chandimandir.

With 'Ever Westwards' being its clarion call, the Western Army was instrumental in blunting the Pakistani aggression in 1947, 1965 and 1971.

Western Command has also time and again, provided succour to the civilian population.

Be it during natural calamities, undertaking counter terrorist operations or participating in nation building activities, troops of the Western Command have always been in the forefront in providing aid to civil authorities.

A fine example of its commitment is the exemplary performance of its troops during the recent flood relief operations in large areas of Punjab.

Western Army will continue to maintain the highest standards of training, administration and motivation and is ever ready for its assigned role in the varied contours of the national security.